Practical Model Proposed for the Structural Analysis of Segmental Tunnels

• Published in: Applied sciences Vol. 10; no. 23; p. 8514
• Main Authors: Moreno-Martínez, Jatziri Y., Galván, Arturo, Peña, Fernando, Carpio, Franco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-12-2020
• Subjects: Concrete; Construction; Cost reduction; coupling rings; Drilling & boring machinery; Finite element method; Limit states; Load; Mathematical models; Mechanical properties; Nonlinearity; One dimensional models; Reinforced concrete; Springs (elastic); Structural analysis; Tunnel construction; Tunnel linings; Tunnels; Ultimate Limit State
• ISSN: 2076-3417; 2076-3417
• DOI: 10.3390/app10238514

The construction of tunnels has become increasingly common in city infrastructure; tunnels are used to connect different places in a region (for transportation and/or drainage). In this study, the structural response of a typical segmental tunnel built in soft soil was studied using a simplified model which considers the coupling between segmental rings. From an engineering point of view, there is a need to use simple and reliable finite element models. Therefore, a 1D model based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) composed of beam elements to model the segments and elastic-linear springs and non-linear springs to model the mechanical behavior of the joints was performed. To validate the modeling strategy, the numerical results were compared to (lab-based) experimental results, under an Ultimate Limit State, obtained from the literature, and a comparison between numerical results considering a 3D numerical complex model which included the nonlinearity of concrete, reinforcing steel and the joints was performed. With this simplified model, we obtained a prediction of approximately 95% of the ultimate loading capacity compared to the results developed in the experimental and 3D models. This proposed model will help engineers in practice to create “rational” structural designs of segmental tunnel linings when a “low” interaction between rings is expected.